Durham has a coffee scene that matches its food scene, creative, independent, and genuinely good. The city has a strong tradition of supporting local roasters and cafes, and the result is a lineup of coffee shops that each has its own personality. You can go from a no frills neighborhood bakery to one of the most inventive coffee menus in the Triangle all in the same zip code. These are the Durham coffee shops worth making time for.
Joe Van Gogh Coffee
Joe Van Gogh is Durham's most established coffee roaster and one of the most respected in the whole Triangle. They have been roasting direct trade beans in Durham for years and their coffee is genuinely excellent across all their locations. The 9th Street area location is a great base for a morning spent exploring one of Durham's best streets. The American Tobacco Campus location works well if you are spending time near downtown Durham. Consistent, quality coffee every time.
Joe Van Gogh also sells their beans to take home. If you find a roast you love at the cafe, it is worth picking up a bag. Their whole bean coffee ships across North Carolina and is one of the better Triangle roasters you can order online.
Cocoa Cinnamon
Cocoa Cinnamon is one of the most beloved coffee shops in Durham and one of the most unique in the entire Triangle. The menu draws on coffee traditions from around the world, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South American, and more, and the result is a drink menu unlike anything else in the area. The Golden Belt location has a great vibe and is worth a visit on its own. The staff is knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about what they are serving.
If you have never had a Mexican inspired coffee drink or a cardamom spiced espresso, Cocoa Cinnamon is the place to try one. The shop has a strong commitment to sourcing and the quality of the coffee itself is as high as the creativity of the menu.
Beyu Caffe
Beyu Caffe on West Main Street in downtown Durham is a coffee shop, event space, and community hub all in one. The coffee is well made and the menu has light food options that pair well with it. The events here, live music, open mics, community gatherings, give it a spirit that most coffee shops cannot match. It is the kind of place that is part of the neighborhood fabric and has been for years. Go for the coffee and stay for whatever is happening on the stage.
Ninth Street Bakery
Ninth Street Bakery is a Durham institution that has been making excellent bread, pastries, and coffee on one of the city's best streets for decades. The baked goods are the main draw and they are exceptional, thick slices of breakfast bread, cookies, and muffins that are worth coming for on their own. The coffee is the right kind of straightforward and reliable, which makes it a perfect pairing. Stop here before or after exploring the rest of what 9th Street has to offer.
Yellow Dog Bread Company
Yellow Dog is a beloved Durham bakery that does coffee alongside some of the best bread in the area. The atmosphere is warm and community oriented, the pastries are worth coming for on their own, and the coffee rounds out a proper morning. It has the feel of a true neighborhood spot, the kind of place where regulars know the staff and the staff knows what you usually order. A great option if you want quality coffee without the scene of a more popular downtown spot.
Guglhupf
Guglhupf is a German style bakery and cafe on Durham Chapel Hill Boulevard that takes its coffee as seriously as its pastries. The croissants and cakes here are among the best in the Triangle, and the espresso drinks are worthy companions. The space has a warm, European feel with natural light and a relaxed pace that makes it a great place to linger on a weekend morning. Technically on the western edge of Durham heading toward Chapel Hill, but worth the short drive from anywhere in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee shop in Durham NC?
Durham has several excellent options. Joe Van Gogh is the most established roaster in the city. Cocoa Cinnamon is the most unique and creative. Ninth Street Bakery is the best for coffee paired with excellent baked goods. All three are worth visiting for a proper Durham coffee morning.
Does Durham have good independent coffee?
Yes. Durham has one of the best independent coffee scenes in the Triangle. Joe Van Gogh, Cocoa Cinnamon, Beyu Caffe, and Ninth Street Bakery are all locally owned shops with serious coffee programs and real personality. There is no shortage of quality options and none of them feel like chain spots.
Where should I get coffee on 9th Street Durham?
Ninth Street Bakery is the top pick on 9th Street for coffee and baked goods. Joe Van Gogh also has a location near the 9th Street area. The whole corridor is worth a morning of exploring on foot, with shops, restaurants, and cafes that make it one of the best walkable streets in Durham.
What is Cocoa Cinnamon known for?
Cocoa Cinnamon is known for a coffee menu that draws on global coffee traditions, including Mexican, Middle Eastern, and South American styles. They use high quality beans, take sourcing seriously, and make drinks you would not find at most coffee shops. The Golden Belt location in Durham is their flagship and the most popular.
